Are AI and robots the real reason people quit their jobs? Connecting AI awareness, technostress and organizational support in Indian workplaces

Abstract

Purpose: This study examines whether Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Awareness (AIRA) play a dual role as potential stressors and adaptive behavior catalysts and are therefore root causes for employee turnover. Grounded in the Indian context, it advances technostress (TS) and perceived organizational support literature to reveal intricate psychological mechanisms and insights explaining the drivers of workforce retention with the massive acceptance of AI technologies. Design/methodology/approach: The quantitative research design entails data collection via a structured Google Form circulated through direct respondent contacts and social media channels in LinkedIn and WhatsApp groups of 476 employees in the service and manufacturing sectors. Structural equation modeling was used to discover the associations among constructs. Findings: The results show that AIRA significantly increases TS and turnover intentions, with TS acting as a partial mediator in this relationship. POS mitigates these effects by reducing adverse effects, underscoring its importance in employee retention during technological changes. Research limitations/implications: This study include cross-sectional design, convenience sampling and self-reported data, indicating the need for longitudinal and multi-source methodologies in future research. Practical implications: This study fills some gaps in research using Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) and Conservation of Resources (COR) theories in the rapidly digitalizing Indian environment. Originality/value: This study is unique in its comprehensive analysis of AI-related psychological techno stressors and organizational support in Indian workplaces, providing essential empirical insights for managing employee well-being and retention during digital transformation.